Socket-pattern mechanism.



J. B.-LADD.

- SOCKET PATTERN MECHANISM.

APPuCAnoN-rnm MR. 6. 19:1. 1 372,060. Patented July 9, 1918.

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J- B. LADD.

SOCKET PATTERN MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 6. 1911.

1 72,060. Patented July 9,1918.

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'J. B. LADD, SOCKET PATTERN MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 6. I917. 1 272,060. Patented July 9,1918.

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J. B LADD. seem PATTERN MECHANISM. APPLICATION HLED MAR. 6,1917. 1 ,272,06(), Patented July 9,1918.

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J. B. LADD.

SOCKET PATTERN MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 6. 19m.

1 272,060. Patented July 9,1918.

1 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

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J. B. LADD.

SOCKET PATTERN MECHANISM.

APPLECATION F ILED MAR. 6.1911.

Patented July 9, 1918. ISHEETS-SHEET 1 mz NGRRIS PETERS cu. Punmuma. wAsumnwn, n c.

PORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

SOCKET-PATTERN MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 9, 1918.

Application filed March 6, 1917. Serial No. 152,577.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMns B. LADD, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of the city and county of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, have in vented certain new and useful Improve ments in Socket-Pattern Mechanism, of which the following is a true and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

My present invention comprises improvements in molding apparatus especially devised and adapted for use in forming the so called socket portion of a pipe mold, and the primary object of my invention is to provide a relatively simple and effective socket pattern manipulating and supporting mechanism particularly devised for use in connection with a pipe molding mechanism in which a series of vertical flasks, mounted on a turn'-table or other carrying mechanism, are moved successively through a molding station Where'a main ramming pattern is drawn upwardly through the flask and a socket pattern is forced into the lower end of the flask. More specifically my invention has for its object to provide an improved socket pattern mechanism proper and to provide improved means for supporting the socket pattern mechanism and for moving it into and out of its operative position in which it engages the bottoms of the flasks to be operated on.

The various features of novelty which characterize my invention are pointed out .with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, however, and the advantages possessed by it, and specific objects attained in addition to those already enumerated, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of my invention.

Of the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation partly in section of a portion of pipe molding apparatus in which my present invention is employed;

Fig. 1 is a partial sectional elevation with parts broken removed illus I-beams against,

Fig. 2 is a view also partly in section taken at right angles to Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section through the socket molding apparatus proper the section being taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section taken at right angles to Fig. 8;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the socket pattern I mechanism proper;

F 6 is a plan View of the socket pattern carrier;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the stripping ring support and stripping rings mounted thereon; and

Fig. 8 is a view taken generally similarly to Fig. 3, illustrating a slightly modified construction; and

Fig. 9 is a View taken generally simila riy to Fig. 4, and illustrating the same construction shown in Fig. 8.

In the complete pipe molding mechanism partially shown in the drawings, A represents a mold flask mounted on a suitable support. For example, there may advantageously be a series of these flasks mounted at the periphery of a turntable B of the character shown in the ratus disclosed in an application, Serial No. 152,659, filed March 6, 1917 by Louis R; Lemoine. geously, in practice, double mold flasks, as shown, the main and socket patterns are in similar pairs. 0 represents the main ramming patterns having enlarged lower ends which are drawn upward through the flasks, and each of which forms the body portion of the mold cavity through which. it is drawn. The socket pattern mechanism proper is mounted in a supporting frame member D adapted to be detachably secured to the lower end of a flaskat the molding station position. The frame member Dis supported by a sort of crane comprising a vertically movable boom or arm E, and a rotatable column on which the boom is mounted. As shown, the boom is formed of a pair of triangular side members E rigidly connected together. and the column F comprises side rails F which may be the front edges of which pivotally secured to the lower E while shoes bear shoes E corners of the side members pipe molding appa-' As the flasks A are advanta-' IE pivotally eonnected the boom E-adja cent the upper corners of the side members E. be' r against the rear edgesof the beams E. 'ihedi'ooiii E is supported by the rods F ana F from a ci'osshead F secured to the upper end of the plunger F working in the vertical hydraulic cylinder 1? forming a portion of the crane column F. The crane column is pivotally connected at its upper end to the supporting superstructure F and at its lower end is jo'urnal'ed in a suit-able support F. By rotating the. column F the fraineD may be swung out from under the path of the flasks when this ma be necessary or desirable so as to change the size of socket pat't'ern employed or the like. The normal downward nieveihent of the crossl'iead F and thereby of the boom E may advantageously be limited as by the engagement 6f the stop nuts F adjus'tably threaded on the rods F with the underside of the 'c'r'osshead F F represents ail-adjustable abutment screw and F- a clamping s rew which may be employed to detachably secure the column F in the desired operative position.

A valve mechanism F is em I loyed to control th uid into and out of the cylinder F through the pipe line F This mechanismmay be operated by the manipulation of either the valve lever F or the valvele'ver F and is normallyfop'erat'ed by the latter. The valve lever F is similar to the valve l'e've'r U hereinafter referred to, which 7 is clearly shown in Fig. 2. In the latter figure the lever F does not show as it lies directly back of e not of the motive the lever U.

The frame member D is suspended from the boom E, in the preferred construction illustrated, by a flexible elastic connection E and two side flexible elastic connections E". As shown, (see Fig. 3), the connection E comprises a chain depending from the boom and connected at its lower end to an eye-boltE which passes through an opening in the member D, and has adjustably secured toit's lower end a follower E between which and, the under side of the member D is. located a cushioning spring E Each ofthe connections E is similar tothe connection E except that the chain portion of the connection E is replaced in each connection E by a swinging link. With this elastic flexible. three point suspension the frame member D is permitted considerable freedom for adjustment both horizontally and inthe direction of the plane of its flask engaging surface. The large dowel gins 2 with tapering upper ends carried y the frame D and entering sockets A formed for the purpose in the lower porare thusenabled time f the fl sk s uct re, to automatically bring V the frame member mi es-lat st? lateral.rela earfl th flasks A when the plunger F carrying the of the frame D tended, however,

' with a threaded boom E- is elevated, and at the same time the frame D is iven the tilt required to per-ma, a as sa finaiya anst the hence of the flask when slight irregularities in the relative disposition of the flasks and boom E make such lateral adjustment and tilting necessary.

The member D, which is a hollow structure open at top and bottom, is formed at opposite ends with internal vertical guide ways D for the guide ribs G formed on the opposite ends of the pattern carrier G The upward limit of movement of the pa tern carrier G relative t'o the member D is limited bythe stop bolts D The pattern carrier G is formed with seats t'w'o socket patterns T and IA. The socket patterns I and IA may be identical in form and size, and in any given use of the apparatus usually are. The apparatus is in for making molds for pipes of diiferent d-iameters'and as shown, the socket pattern I is for use in forming a pipe mold considerably larger in diameter than that formed with the use of the socket pattern IA. In operation, as hereinafter etc plained', the pattern 'carri'er G is given vertical movements in the frame D. To pre= vent canting of the member G, the guide ribs are notched to receive bearing blocks H in which (see Fig. 4) are pivotally received the rounded ends of arms H rigidly con nected to an equalizing shaft H journaled in bearings mounted on the member D.

Each socket pattern comprises a cylindrical portion 1 adjacent the lower end of the sand engaging portion of the pattern. This cylindrical portion is surrounded a corresponding stripping ring J. Each strip ping ring J fits in 'a cover plate D of the proper size secured to the upper end of the member D, .whichrin the relative positions of the "stripping rings and socket patterns shown in Fig. 3, rest upon the shoulders 2 of the socket patterns. ring J is mounted on t e upper end 'of three supporting posts J each of which is formed which is screwed a bolt J 2 which forms a crank pin connection between the post and a crank J the shaft J of which is journaled in the stripping ringsupport 'K. The posts J pass loosely through openings G in the pattern carrier G. WV-lien disconnected from the stripping ring, the crank shafts J may be rotated to thus increase or decrease the distance between each bolt J and the axis of the corresponding :pattern and thus adjust the'cranks to support a stripping ring of larger or smaller diameter. To effect the rotation of the crank shafts J one of the crank shafts for each stripping ring is connected to a spindle'J provided at its lower end with ja hand wheel Gr. for the Each stripping J and the three crank shafts J ert'ainin the links Q are thereby thrown out remorse to each stripping ring, each has a spur gear portion J in mesh with a common inter.- nally threaded gear J mounted in the stripping ring support K. This permits the simultaneous adjustment of the supports for each stripping ring. Pointers D carried by the frame D cooperate with scale marks on the hand wheel J 6 to show the adjustment of the apparatus.

The stripping ring support K is formed with guide ribs K at its ends working in vertical guide ways G formed in the pattern carrier G, and is also guided by means of the central bearing formed in the strip ping ring support for the central vertical post 0. Adjacent each of its ends the stripping ring support K is formed with an ear K through which a depending link LK is pivot-ally attached. To its lower end each link LK is pivotally connected to the outer end of a corresponding lever L. Each lever ll is pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the lower end of a link LG. The upper end. of each link LG is pivotally con nected. in the corresponding slotted ear G of the pattern. carrier G. At its inner edge each. lever L has pivotally connected to it a roller L which engages a corresponding stop shoulder D formed on the upper side of a crosshead or yoke member D adjustably secured to the under side of the frame D by the bolts D". Between its roller L and its pivotal connection to the corresponding link LG each lever L is pivotally connected by means of the shaft L to the up per end of a floating cylinder M. i The floating cylinder M is provided with vertical guide ribs M at opposite sides working freely in guide ways formed in "the crosshead member D. The floating cylinder member M is formed with a lower main cylinder chamber M and a smaller upper cylinder chamber M The plunger 0 works in the chamber M and a piston N works in the chamber M The depending stem N of the piston N is pivotally connected to a crosshead N to the ends of which are connected upwardly extending rods l The rods P are pivotally connected at their up per ends to link members Q which are adapted to take over cars A formed on the flasks A. As shown, each link Q is loosely connected to the frame member D by being pivoted at R to a corresponding lever It. Each lever]? is pivotally connected at 12 to the member D and carries a corresponding counterweight R The counter-weights It" tend to hold the links in the vertical position shown in full lines in Fig. 4;. but when the rods P are elevated sul'licientlyw to clear as indicated in dotted lines hand corner of Fig. 4:.

the flask cars A a t the upperleft ad acent their upper ends the reds P an.

tanned with lateral projections 1 The inlet side of ll and F projections P are adapted to engage, under conditions hereinafter explained, the upper sides of stop shoulders D" carried by bracket men'll'icrs D rigidly secured to the member D. One of the rods P is also formed with a lateral projection P which, when the projections P engage the shoulders D", ongages and depresses a plunger S secured to the operating valve lever S which is pivotally connected to the member D at D. The valve lever S is connected by a rod S to the operating member proper of a valve T. A spring S normally tends to hold the parts in the. position shown in Fig. 1 in which the stem S projects above the shouldersD and the valve T is closed. The valve T has its inlet side connected to a compressed air supply pipe V? and when opened by the depression of the stem S, de livers air to a pipe T mounted at the up per end of the member D. The pipe T extends around the socket patterns I and IA and is provided with jet nozzles or orifices T for delivering jets of air to blow sand off the socket patterns and the upper surfacesof the member D.

As shown in Fig. '1, the pipe V is a branch from the flexible pipe V which is connected at one end of the passage M leading to the chamber M in the floating cylindermember M, and is connected at its opposite end to the main compressed air supply pipe V. The latter supplies air to the the valve F and to the inlet side of thetwo-way valve U. The valve U is connected by the flexible pipe U to the inlet M leading to the lower end of the piston chamber M in the floating cylinder M. and is connected by the flexible pipe ll tothe port M opening to the upperend of the cylinder chamber M The exhaust ports of the valves F and U are connected to an exhaust pipe W. The valve U may be operated either by a valve lever U or a valve lever U and is normally actuated by the latter. The valve Tl with its operating .i'neans is substantially identical. with the valve F audits operating connections, and in Fig. 2 the .valve F and its operating means are hidden by the valve U and the operating coi'inections for the latter. In the preferred constructionillustrated the valves areaintcnded to be operated by the levers U andF respective1y which are located at an operating station upper level o t the flasks The levers U" and IP1 are located in the pit in which the flask supporting turn-table is mounted and are intendedvfor use only under certain special cond tions when the valve levers U and F may advantageously be disconnect ed from their respective valves.

In operation the flask A inwhich a mold is to be formed is br 'H'H'JU the proper position at the r, Y

the 1;

crane arm E is then manipulated to move the socket pattern frame member D up against the under side of the flask. The upward movement of the crane arm E is brought about by opening the valve F to admit compressed air to the cylinder F. As the frame member D is thus raised beneath the flask the tapered dowel pins D enter the sockets A in the flask structure. The elastic suspension for the frame D, as already explained, permits the frame D to be automatically brought into the proper relative position with respect to the flask A as the arm E is raised. The main ramming patterns C are then lowered into place with the enlarged ends of the latter extending through the socket patterns I. No means are shown herein for manipulating the patterns C as such means form no part of my resent invention.

In Fig. 3 the socket patterns I and IA are shown in their uppermost position in which they engage and define the surface of the mold cavity formed by their use. While the member D is being brought into register with the flask A, and the latter is being charged with sand after the main ramming patterns C have been lowered into place, the socket patterns I and IA occupy a lower position in which their upper ends are at or near the level of the upper surfaces of the cover plates D. The position of the socket patterns at this stage is fixed by the engagement of the rollers L with the stop shoulders D on which the pattern carrier G and stripping ring support K and connected parts including the floating cylinder M are then supported. The socket patterns and stripping rings with the levers L and connecting links LG and LK then occupy the same position relative to one another as in Fig. 3, because the engagement of the stripping rings J with the socket pattern shoulders I prevents the levers L from oscillating about the axis of the shafts L to raise the rollers L relative to the shafts L. The elevation of the socket patterns I and IA relative to the member D when these parts are thus supported on the shoulders D may be varied by adjusting the bolts D by which the crosshead or yoke member D is connected to the frame member D so as to thereby raise or lower the shoulders D During the operation of bringing the frame member D up against the under side of the flask A, the valve U is so setthat pres sure fluid is admitted to the lower end of the piston chamber M through the flexible pipe U and port M This causes the piston N to be raised in the piston chamber M and thereby, through the rods 1 holds the links Q out so that they will clear the ears A of the flask.

After the flask has. been charged with sand and prior to, after, or

simultaneously (preferably the latter) with the initial upward movement of the main ramming patterns G, the valve U is manipulated to connect the lower end of the piston chamber M to exhaust and to connect the upper end of the chamber M through the flexible pipe U and port M to the source of fluid pressure. Pressure in the upper end of the chamber M tends to depress the piston N and to raise the floating cylinder M. The first efl'ect of this pressure is to depress the piston N, inasmuch as the resistance to the upwardmovement of the cylinder M is much greater than the initial resistance to the downward movement of the piston N. The downward movement of the piston N first throws the links Q into their vertical positions in which they extend over the ears D and then lowers the links Q, until they engage the upper sides of the ears A This prevents further downward movement of the piston N and the floating cylinder M then beginsto rise. As the floating cylinder M rises, the pattern carrier G and the stripping ring support K with the patterns I and IA and the stripping rings J thereby supported, are correspondingly raised since, as already explained, the levers L are prevented from tilting in the direction necessary to permit upward movement of the cylinder M without a corresponding upward movement of the other parts referred to. The upward movement of the socket patterns and stripping rings continues until the pattern carrier G engages the adjustable stops D and further upward movement of the parts carried by the floating cylinder M is thereby prevented.

During the upward movement of the socket patterns I and IA and stripping rings J, the lower or socket portion of the mold is as the main ramming patterns C are moved entirely clear of the socket patterns the latter may be withdrawn.

To eflect the withdrawal of the socket patterns, the valve U is again manipulated to connect the upper end of the piston chamber M to exhaust and to supply pressure fluid if necessary. to the lower end of the chant ber M WVhen this occurs, the floating cylinder M starts downward under the action of gravity"supplemented, if necessary, by the pressure fluid admitted to the lower end of the chamber M During the initial downward movement of the floating cylinder M'the pattern carrier G. with the socket patterns mounted thereon are lowered. while the stripping ring support K and the stripping rings mountedthereon remain stationary in their elevated position. This is due to the link and lever connections between the floating cylinder and the pattern carrier and strippingring support and the frictional resistance to the downward movement out of formed and as soon the mold, oil the socket patterns and stripping rings supplemented by the resistance to the dowmvard movement of the pattern carrier exerted by the plunge' which is constantly urged upward by the fluid pressure acting on its lower end. It should be explained that the plunger is so proportioned that its upward thrust is about equal to the weight of the pattern carrier G and patterns mounted thereon. The downward movement of the pattern carrier thus brought about continues without any corresponding downward movement of the stripping ring support until the turning of the levers L about the axis of their pivotal connections to the links LK brings the rollers L against the stop shoulders D When this occurs the rollers L will be considerably below the shafts L. Downward movement of the cylinder M continuing after the rollers L engage the stops D returns the levers L to their initial horizontal position, thus retracting the stripping rings J to their initial po sition in which. they engage the pattern shoulders 1 While, with the construction described, there is a slight downward movement of the pattern carrier G during the downward movement of the stripping ring support, the pattern drawing movement is practically completed before the stripping rings J begin to move downward.

The admission of pressure fluid to the lower end of the piston chamber M to draw the patterns causes the piston N to be raised so as to throw the links Q out of en gagement with the flask ears A and when the pattern drawing operation is completed and the stripping rings lowered, the valve F is nmnipulated to lower the crane arm E and drop the socket pattern mechanism down below the flask to permit the latter to be moved away and a new flask to be brought into position.

To clean the socket pattern mechanism preparatory to another molding operation, the valve U is then manipulated to again admit pressure to the upper end oi the piston chamber M This forces the piston N down until the stops P on the rods P engage the shoulders D on the brackets D whereupon the latter serve as reaction points to permit the floating cylinder M to be raised and thus carry the socket patterns I and TA up above the cover plates D. As the shoulders P move into engagement with the stops D, the ear l. engages and depresses the plunger I" secured to the valve operating lever S and thus opens the valve T, whereupon jets of air are discharged through the nozzles T and the patterns and upper portion of the member D are blown clear of sand. After the apparatus has thus been cleaned, the upper end of the piston chamber M is again connected to exhaust and pressure fluid is admitl'cd to the lower end of the piston chamber M to thereby cause the links Q to be thrown up and out in position to clear the cars A of the flask with which the socket pattern mechanism is to be next brought into operative relation.

\Vhen it is desired to replace one set of socket patterns by another in changing from one style of pipe mold to another, the crane F is revolved to swing the arm E out from under the path of the flasks A and into position for the convenient replacement of the socket patterns.

The apparatus shown is well adapted also for the making of pipe molds of different lengths. In case of change from pipe molds of one length to pipe molds length, the normal limits of the up and down movements of the boom E are raised or lowered to correspond to the decreased or increased length of the mold flasks.

The mechanism described forms a simple and effective means for the expeditious and accurate manipulation of the socket patterns and permits of a. very satisfactory mold for mation without hand work. The upward thrust of the socket patterns in the mold forming operation proper is substantial, but with the mechanism described this thrust does not tend to displace the flask with ref erence to the flask supporting means since the upward thrust exerted on the flask by the patterns is balanced by the downward pull on the flask exerted through the links Q and rods P.

The modified form of socket patterns press illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 is similar in its general construction and mode of oporation to that shown in Figs. 1 to 7 comprising parts DA, DA DA, DA GA, GA, HA, HA KA, LKA, LGA, LA, MA, NA, NA, lA and OA, which correspond generally in structure and are employed for the same purposes as the parts D, D D, D G, G, H, H K, LK, LG, L, M, N, N, and 0, respectively.

The parts PA of Figs. 8 and 9 form of U-shaped pieces adapted to take over the flask lugs A the parts PA thus correspond to the parts .P and. Q of the construction first described. To throw the upper ends of the parts PA into the inoperative position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5), the parts PA are connected intermediate their ends by lugs P to the crosshead DA. In consequence, when the crosshead NA is are in the raised, relatively to the crosshead DA the are thrown into the dotted line yokes PA position in which they clear the lugs A The valve TA employed in Figs. 8 and 9 is opened and closed at the proper instants by an operating rod or stem T The stem T passes through a bracket extension l of the crosshead N and is depressed by of another the latter when the crosshead N98 is moved downward from itsnormal lowermost position shown in full lines in Fig. 9. A spring T acting between a collar T on the valve stem T 'and the casing member DA normally keeps the valve TA closed. The equalizing shaft HA of Figs. 8 and9 is mounted in separable bearings located beneath and secured to the casing member DA. This facilitates taking down the apparatus when necessary. In Figs. 8 and 9 the crosshead DA is not adj ustably connected to the casing DA, but the stop DA carried by the crosshead DA is in the form of a bolt adjustably mounted in the crosshead DA, and the arms HA are connected to the lower ends of the portions GA of the movable crosshead G by links H.

Vhile in accordance with the provisions of the statutes I have illustrated and described the best form of my invention now known to me, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes can be made in the form of my invention without departing from its spirit, and that some features of my invention can 'be used without afcorrespending use of other features of the invention. 7

Having now what I claim as new and Letters Patent, is:

'1. In a pipeinolding machine, the combi nation with a flask and its supporting means, of socketpattern'mechanism comprising a supporting frame, a pattern ramming press mounted in said frame and comprising two cooperatmg press elements each movable relative to the other and to said frame, a socket pattern mounted on one of said elements and means for connecting the other elementto the flask.

2. Ina pipe molding machine, the combination with a flask and its supporting means, of socket pattern mechanism comprising a supporting frame, a pattern ramming press mounted in said frame, and comprising two cooperating press elements each movable relative to the other and to said frame, a socket pattern mounted on one of said elements, and means for connecting the other element to the flask, said last "mentioned means being automatically actuated by the movements "of the last mentioned element relative to said frame.

3. In pipe molding apparatus,

described my invention, desire to secure by the combination with a flask and its supporting means, of a socket pattern mechanism comprising a supporting frame, said flask and frame being relatively movable to bring them into and out of operative relation, a pattern ramming press mounted in said frame and comprising two cooperating press elements movable relative to each other and to said frame, a socket pattern mounted on one of said eleme'nts, means for connecting the other of said elements to the flask in the socket pattern ramming operation, and to said supporting frame to permit the socket pattern to be advanced when said frame is out of operative relation with said flask.

4*. In pipe molding apparatus the combinationwith a flask and its support, of socket pattern mechanism comprising a supporting frame, said flask and frame being relatively movable to bring them into and out of operative relation, a pattern ramming press mounted in said frame and comprising twocooperating press elements each movable relative to each other and to said frame, a socket pattern carried by one of said elements, means for connecting the other ele ment to the flask in the pattern ramming operation and to said supporting frame to permit the socket pattern to be advanced when said flask and frame are out of operative relation, and pneumatic pattern cleaning mechanism automatically actuated on such advancement of the pattern.

5, In a pipe molding machine, the combination with a flask, of a flask support and a socket pattern mechanism comprising a support movable relative to the first mentioned support to bring said mechanism into and out of opera'tive engagement with said flask, and a pattern ramming press mounted in said second mentioned support and comprising an element adapted to be attached to the flask, and a pattern advancing element, said elements being movable relative to one another and to said second mentioned support.

6. In pipe molding apparatus the combination with a vertical flask and its support, of socket pattern'mechanism comprising a supporting frame beneath said flask and adapted to be moved up into and down out of operative relation with said flask, a pattern ramming mechanism mounted in said frame and comprising cooperating piston and cylinder elements each movable relative to the other and to said frame, a socket pattern carried by one of said elements and means for connecting the other element to and disconnecting it from the flask.

7. In pipe molding apparatus the combination with a vertical flask and its support, of socket pattern mechanism comprising a supporting frame beneath said flask and adapted to be moved up into and down out of operative relation with said flask, a pattern ramming mechanism mounted in said frame and comprising cooperating piston and cylinder elements each movable relative to the other and to said frame, a socketpattern carried by one of said elements and means automatically actuated by the relative movements of said elements for connecting the other elementsto and disconnecting it from the flask.

8. Ptttern ramming mechanism for op y from said support by flexible longitudinally crating at the under side of a flask open at its under side comprising in combination a vertically adjustable support and an upwardly acting pattern ramming press suspended from said support by flexible elastic connections.

9. Pattern ramming mechanism for oper ating at the under side of a flask open at its under side comprising in'combination a vertically adjustable support and an upwardly acting, pattern ramming press suspended adjustable connections.

10. Pattern ramming mechanism for operating at the under side of a flask open at its under side comprising in combination. a crane consisting of a revoluble column, a vertically adjustable arm carried thereby, and an upwardly acting pattern ramming press supported by said arm at the side of the column by a flexible suspension comprising a plurality of flexible and longitudinally adjustable connections.

11. In molding apparatus the combination with a flask open at its under side and a flask support, of pattern ramming mechanism operating at the under side of the flask and comprising a supporting crane consisting of a vertical revoluble column at the side of the flask, a vertically adjustable arm carried thereby and .normally extending under the flask, anda pattern ramming press carried by said arm.

12. In molding apparatus the combination with a flask open at its under side and the flask support, of pattern ramming mechanism operating at the under side of the flask and comprising a supporting armvertically adjustable and adjustable also about a vertical axis at the-side of the flask into and out of the position in which it: extends under the flask, anda pattern ramming press ing suspension.

13; In molding apparatus the combination with a flask open at its under side and flask support, of pattern ramming mechanism operating atthe under side of the flask and comprising a supporting crane consisting of a vertical revoluble column located at the side of the flask, a vertically adjustable carried by said arm through a flexible yield- .arni carried thereby and normally extending under the flask. and a pattern ramming press carried by said arm through a flexible yielding suspenslon.

14. In molding apparatus the combination with a flask open at its under side and the flask support, of pattern ramming mechanism operating at the under side of the flask comprising a supporting arm vertically adjustable and adjustable also about a vertical axis at the side of the flask into and out of the position in which it extends under the flask, and a pattern ramming press adjustably mounted on said arm.

15. Molding apparatus comprising in com" bination a mold support, a pattern carrier, a pattern stripper "and means for moving said'carrier and stripper simultaneously .toward the mold and for withdrawing them successivelycomprising a movable actuating device, a lever 'pivotally connected to said device and having a pair of arms extending in opposite directions from the point of connection to said device, one of said arms being pivotally connected to said carrier and to said stripper at greater and lesser distances, respectively, from the path of movement of said point, means limiting the movement toward the mold of said carrier relative to said stripper, and a stop engaged by the other arm ot'the lever after an initial return movement of said device.

16. Molding apparatus comprising vin combination a mold support, a pattern car rier, a pattern stripper and means for moving said carrier and stripper simultaneously toward the mold and for withdrawing them successively comprising a movable actuating device, a lever pivotally connected to said device and having a pair of arms extending in opposite directions from the point of connection to said device, one of said arms beto said stripper at greater and lesser dis-' tances respectivel from the path of movement of said point, means limiting the movement toward the mold of said carrier relative to said stripper, and an adjustable stop engaged. by the other arm of the lever after an-initial return movement of said device.

17. Molding apparatus comprising in combination, a mold sup-port, a pattern carrier, a pattern stripper, and means for moving said carrier and stripper simultaneously toward the mold and for withdrawing them successively comprising a movable actuating device, a lever pivotally connected to said device and having a pair of arms extending in opposite directions from the point of con nection to said device, one of said arms beingpivotally connected to said carrier and to said stripper at greater and lesser distances respectively from the path of move ment of said point, means limiting 'the'movement toward the mold of said carrier relative to said stripper, a stop engaged by the other arm of the lever after an initial return movement of said device and independent means for exerting a yieldingforce on said carrier opposing its return movement.

18. In a pipe molding machine the combination of a supporting frame, a vertical pattern carrier and a vertically movable I pattern stripper mounted in said frame, a

arate link connections between one arm of said lever and said stripper and carrier at greater and lesser distances, respectively, from the path of movement of said point of connection, means limiting the upward movement of said carrier relative to said stripper, an adjustable stop carried by said frame and engaged by the other arm of the lever after an initial downward movement of said device, and a hydraulic plunger for exerting a constant upward force on said pattern carrier during the pattern stripping operation.

19. In a pipe molding machine, a socket pattern ramming mechanism comprising in combination a pattern carrier formed with a seat for patterns of different sizes, a stripping ring support and cranks journaled therein and forming adjustable stripping.

ring holders.

20. In pipe molding apparatus, socket pattern mechanism for operating at the under side of a vertical mold comprising in combination a vertically movable socket pattern carrier formed with provisions for detachably securing thereto'socket patterns of different sizes, a stripping ring support mounted beneath said carrier, a series of: vertical shafts journaledin said support and crank arms secured to theupper ends. of said shafts. and crank pin like posts carried by said arms and adapted to be detachably connected to a stripping ring surrounding the socket pattern in place on said carrier.

21. In pipe-molding apparatus, socket pattern mechanism for operatin at the under side of a vertical mold comprising in combinationa vertically movable socket pattern carrier formed with provisions for detacha-bly securing thereto socket patterns. of different sizes, a stripping ring support mount.- ed beneath Said. carrier, a series of vertical shafts joiirnaledin saidsupport, crank.

arms securedto theupper, ends of'saidsha itsiand crank pin like posts carried by said arms and adapted to be detachably-connected to a strippi n gringsurrounding'the socket pattern. in place on said carrier, and means for simultaneously rotating said shafts to adjust said posts toist'ripping rings of different diameters.

22. Molding apparatuscomprisingincombinationa mold. support, a pattern. carrier, a pattern stripper, means for successively withdrawing said carrier and stripper from. a mold, comprising means for subjecting said carrier to a force tendingto withdraw the latter and; for subjecting the stripper to- Cqpieg Mathhgpgtent may-beobtained (or: five-cents earth; by 'addresslngthe-Gbinmluloner of. rim,

the latter and for subjecting, the stripper toan opposing reactive force during an initial withdrawal movement of said device, means cooperating with the last mentioned means to. subject said stripper to a withdrawal force tending to withdraw it upon a further withdrawal movement of said device, and

means for exerting; a yielding force. on said carrier opposing its withdrawal movement 24;. Molding apparatus comprising-in combination a mold support, a pattern carrier, a pattern stripper, means for successively withdrawing said carrier and stripper from a mold, comprising a movable actuating device and operating connection between said device, carrier and stripper, through which said device on its initial withdrawal movement everts a force on the carrier tending to withdraw it and :a force on the stripper tending to maintain the latter in place, and means brought into operation by a further withdrawal movement of said device and for causing the connection to exert a force on the stripper, tending to withdraw the latter..

-25. Molding apparatus comprising in com bination a mold support, a pattern carrier,

a pattern-stripper, and means for moving the saidycarrier and stripper simultaneously toward the mold and for withdrawing them successively, comprising a movable actuatingdevice for advancing and withdrawing tion to exert a force on the stripper tending to withdraw the latter.

JAMEs B. LADD.

waih-ington; .D. 10." 

